UI Seniors Cut Through The Chatter

First, the nitty-gritty. Idaho shot down Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo 84-76 Sunday.

Seniors Gordon Scott, Devon Ford and Cliff Gray enjoyed their Kibbie Dome farewell, combining for 52 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and six steals.

Idaho (12-14 overall, 6-8 Big West) is tied with Boise State for third in the East Division. UI visits Utah State and Nevada this week, needing one win to clinch a Big West Tournament berth.

But Sunday’s primary entertainment came during sideline banter, pre-free throw banter, hamburger-hungry banter and interview-room banter.

Fittingly, it often involved the three seniors, who were awarded jerseys in a glass frame during a pre-tip ceremony.

The toughest defense Ford faced might have come from Cal Poly coach Jeff Schneider. Before an inbounds pass near the Mustangs’ bench, Ford heard Schneider’s repeated insistence to “quit shooting.”

“I was about to ask him, `Who are you talking to?’ So I looked at him and he said, `Yeah, I’m talking to you, quit shooting the ball,”’ Ford said. “I said, `I’d think about it.’

“Every time I walked by him he had something to say, nothing derogatory. Just a coach making my last game in the Dome special.”

Ford did quit shooting - after he’d made 8 of 11 shots and scored 19 points against the Mustangs’ detached defense.

Stomach-minded spectators, meanwhile, begged Scott to shoot much of the second half. The outcome wasn’t quite in the bag, but that didn’t seem to matter. They knew if UI made nine 3-pointers, they’d get a free burger as one of UI’s promotions.

Idaho finished with eight, but not before Scott launched a couple of late attempts, including a rushed 30-footer at the buzzer.

“That’s when they got mad, they got hostile: `We want our burgers,”’ said a smiling Scott, who hit four 3s and scored 18 points.

Idaho led 49-37 when Cal Poly sharpshooter Mike Wozniak stepped to the foul line. He hadn’t missed a free throw since Jan. 13, but his streak ended at a school-record 37 because of… . Ford’s defense?

“I walked up to him and said, `Tell your guys to box out ‘cuz this is a miss,”’ Ford said. “He said, `I don’t think so.’ He missed it and I said, `Told you.”’

Idaho had the last word and the upper hand most of the way. UI led 41-31 at half as Cal Poly’s Chris Bjorklund, who averages nearly 20 points per game, picked up three quick fouls.

“I actually played him a couple more minutes with three fouls because this series with Idaho is really weird,” said Schneider, whose 9-17 team is in danger of missing the tourney. “All of the games have been pretty much over by half. I knew we had to stay in the game.”

The Vandals were in full glide after taking leads of 59-43 and 64-47. Guard Jason King hit two of Cal Poly’s 11 3s to cut Idaho’s lead to 80-74, but Adam Miller, Ford and Gray combined for four free throws in the final minute.

Vandals backup center Chris Monroe injured his knee in warmups and hobbled through 3 minutes of playing time. He’ll have an MRI today. Starting guard Lance Buoncristiani, who had his appendix removed Tuesday, didn’t play. He might see time Thursday.

Idaho 84, Cal Poly 76

Cal Poly (9-17) - Henry 1-7 1-2 4, Mayes 3-5 1-2 7, Bjorklund 6-11 3-3 16, Wozniak 5-9 3-4 17, King 6-11 4-4 21, Campbell 0-0 0-0 0, Grace 3-4 0-0 6, Burris 1-4 3-4 5, Hoffart 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 25-51 15-19 76.

Idaho (12-14) - Gray 5-6 5-6 15, Ford 8-11 3-4 19, Dickens 5-10 4-6 15, Logan 1-4 0-0 2, Scott 7-15 0-0 18, Miller 7-15 0-0 4, Monroe 0-0 0-0 0, Gates 0-0 0-0 0, Lewis 0-1 0-0 0, Watson 1-2 0-0 2, Gerschefske 3-5 0-0 9. Totals 30-57 16-20 84.

Halftime-Cal Poly 31, Idaho 41. 3-Point goals- Cal Poly 11-27 (Henry 1-6, Bjorklund 1-4, Wozniak 0-5, King 5-9, Burris 0-1), Idaho 8-21 (Dickens 1-3, Logan 0-2, Scott 4-9, Miller 0-2, Gerschefske 3-5). Fouled out-None. Rebounds-Cal Poly 26 (Mayes 9), Idaho 30 (Dickens 10). Assists-Cal Poly 17 (Henry, Mayes, Wozniak 4), Idaho 21 (Logan, Miller 5). Total fouls-Cal Poly 2, Idaho 2. A-1,834.